Current Fishing May 2019

Read below to find out all the current fishing conditions around The Bait Box.

Blind Pass.

Reports are that the bite is on! Anglers are reporting lots of Trout, Ladyfish, and Bluefish! Cut frozen Threadfins and Ladyfish are super effective right now along with live Shrimp. Many Tarpon hitting whole and cut Ladyfish and Mullet! Artificial baits are hot too! Many Snook reports on topwater lures, and many Trout hitting small Pinfish style lures and Shrimp. Stronger current in the pass will require more weight than most other fishing spots. Redfish are starting to show up and are biting pinfish and grunts, Shrimp on a popping cork as well as cut bait, such as Ladyfish, and spoons. Flyfishing for Snook has been great, Clouser Minnow pattern, as well as chartreuse Mullet patterns, are popular.

J.N. Ding Darling

Mangrove Snapper along with some Snook, Jacks, and Redfish can be found along most of the culverts. Lots of smaller Trout and Ladyfish too. Using freelined shrimp at the culverts, and bait fish such as greenbacks, or Pinfish fished on the bottom along the banks, many species are being caught throughout the preserve. Greenbacks and Pinfish have been spotted at a few of the culverts, so keep your cast nets ready! Z-Man swim baits, Vudu shrimp and D.O.A. “Deadly Combo” have been super effective throughout the refuge. Shrimp under a popping cork will get great results here.

Causeway Islands

Spanish Mackerel, lots of Sharks! Black Tips and Bonnetheads are hitting all types of bait. Mangrove Snapper and Redfish are being caught as well as Snook, and Pompano. Many reports of Snook and some Reds hitting shrimp, frozen Ladyfish, threadfins, and pinfish. Spotted Seatrout being caught out in the grass flats using shrimp fished under a float. Flounder, Jack Crevalle, and Mangrove Snapper have all been caught under the bridge using shrimp or cut greenbacks. Sharks, most commonly but not limited to Blacktips, and Bonnet Heads have also been caught on most everything from Shrimp to cut Mackerel, Mullet or even frozen Squid.

Sanibel Pier

Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Mangrove Snapper, Snook, Ladyfish and Jacks. Some Trout are starting to show. A few schools of bait around the pier, birds diving on fish now and then. The conditions are improving! Pompano are biting pink or chartreuse jigs! Fishing is improving. Redfish are hitting big shrimp and cut baits like Mullet. Come in for a few dozen Shrimp or some frozen Threadfins, they are irresistible! Blacktip sharks have been caught using Spanish mackerel. Snook are also biting on cut baits such as frozen Threadfins and Ladyfish and Mullet in the early morning and at dusk. Pompano jigs in assorted colors are hot right now!

Pine Island Sound

Snook are here along with Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, some Trout, Redfish and Mangrove Snapper, and big Jacks. Tarpon are crushing Ladyfish near the west end. Tripletail are around the crab traps and they are biting Shrimp. Whiting and Flounder are being caught. Check out our Photo Gallery! Some Pompano are being caught as well. There has been a marked improvement in water quality each week! Check out our photo gallery for pics of the latest catches!

The Beaches

Lighthouse Beach

Snook, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel, Jacks, Tarpon, and some Redfish in the surf west of the pier along with Mangrove Snapper. Evening has shown good action here for Snook and Shark too. We have a full line of tasty baits for Sharks including fresh caught Mullet, Ladyfish, and Spanish Mackerel.

Knapp’s Point

Many reports of Sharks being caught here. Spanish Mackerel are crushing Shrimp as well as all kinds of spoons and jigs. Tarpon are here and they are biting Threadfins, Ladyfish and Mullet along with Catfish tails, and Spanish Mackerel. Large Z-Man swimbaits and some jigs are getting the Tarpon this week. Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel being caught along with some Blues on the beach as well. Live Shrimp and Pinfish get the fish going! Jacks, and Seatrout can also be caught fishing near the sandbar. Anglers report better success while wading and casting along the sandbar.

West Gulf

Snook, Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish, and some small Trout! Lots of Shark activity much like Bowman’s Beach, and Turner Beach this area has been a staple for large shark fishing for a long time. Check our photo gallery! Many reports of large Snook and Reds hitting cut bait as well as live Pinfish and shrimp. Seatrout, lots of Ladyfish and Whiting caught on live Bait Box shrimp, have come in recently. Mullet, Spanish Mackerel, Threadfins, and chunks of Stingray are what the shark are biting. Bowmans and Turner beaches are starting to show signs of life.